Few wrestlers in the late 1980s and 1990s embodied both menace and charisma quite like Ray Washington Traylor Jr.. Best known to fans around the world as The Big Boss Man, Traylor became an enduring fixture of professional wrestling, a character equal parts terrifying and larger-than-life, who lived on through iconic storylines, unforgettable feuds, and some of the most outlandish angles of the Attitude Era.
Born on May 2, 1963, in Cobb County, Georgia, Traylor came into the sport after working as a real-life corrections officer, a detail that would later shape his most famous persona. At 6’6” and over 300 pounds, he had the size and presence that made him impossible to ignore, but he also possessed surprising agility for a man his build.
Early Career: Jim Crockett Promotions and UWF
Traylor began wrestling professionally in 1984 as enhancement talent for Jim Crockett Promotions. His break came when booker Dusty Rhodes saw potential in the burly ex-guard, pulling him off TV to reinvent him. He returned as Big Bubba Rogers, the silent bodyguard for Jim Cornette and The Midnight Express. As Cornette’s enforcer, Rogers quickly became a heat magnet, helping the Midnight Express in their feud against Dusty and Magnum T.A.
By 1987, Traylor captured the UWF Heavyweight Championship from One Man Gang, aligning himself with Skandor Akbar’s Devastation Inc. Though his reign was short-lived, it cemented him as a powerhouse. Later that year, he donned a mask as the mysterious War Machine in the second WarGames match, battling alongside the Four Horsemen.
All Japan Pro Wrestling
In 1988, Traylor made his first trip to Japan for All Japan Pro Wrestling, honing his craft in the stiff, hard-hitting Japanese style. The stint was brief but influential, as AJPW’s training and match style helped sharpen his skills.
WWF Debut: The Big Boss Man (1988–1993)
In May 1988, Traylor debuted in the World Wrestling Federation as The Big Boss Man, managed by Slick. Drawing from his past as a corrections officer, he wore a blue uniform, carried a nightstick, and often handcuffed defeated opponents to the ropes before viciously attacking them. It was a character that radiated menace, a true heel designed to terrify both kids and adults.
He immediately entered high-profile programs, feuding with Hulk Hogan and later teaming with Akeem (formerly One Man Gang) as The Twin Towers. Together, they clashed with Hogan and Randy Savage’s Mega Powers, even playing a key role in the storyline that caused Savage to turn on Hogan, setting up WrestleMania V’s main event.
Boss Man’s feud with Hogan peaked in a brutal series of steel cage matches in 1989, including the famous Saturday Night’s Main Event XXI match where Hogan superplexed the 300-pound Boss Man off the top of the cage—a spot etched into WWF highlight reels for years.
By 1990, Boss Man turned babyface, refusing to help Ted DiBiase recover his Million Dollar Belt from Jake “The Snake” Roberts. His popularity surged, leading to memorable feuds with Bobby Heenan’s Family, Mr. Perfect, The Mountie (in the infamous Jailhouse Match at SummerSlam 1991), and finally Nailz, who portrayed an ex-con seeking revenge on the “abusive” Boss Man.
After a feud with Bam Bam Bigelow in early 1993, Boss Man left the WWF.
WCW Run (1993–1998)
Traylor debuted in WCW as The Boss in late 1993, immediately feuding with Rick Rude and Big Van Vader. Legal issues with the WWF forced a name change, leading him to briefly adopt the Guardian Angel gimmick, complete with red beret and police-style attire. Eventually, he reverted to his old Big Bubba Rogers name.
In WCW, Traylor was versatile—working as a heel enforcer, a Dungeon of Doom member, and later joining (and then being ousted from) the nWo. His highlight came in matches with Sting, Vader, and a Nitro main event challenge against Hulk Hogan for the WCW World Title. He left the company in 1998.
Return to WWF: The Attitude Era (1998–2003)
In October 1998, Traylor returned to the WWF as a darker, more intimidating Big Boss Man. Now dressed in black tactical gear, he became Vince McMahon’s enforcer in The Corporation, battling Steve Austin, The Rock, and Mankind.
During this run, Boss Man captured the WWF Hardcore Championship four times and the WWF Tag Team Championship (with Ken Shamrock). His feuds were often bizarre and over-the-top, even by Attitude Era standards:
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The Undertaker feud (1999): Boss Man faced Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania XV, which ended with a controversial “hanging” angle.
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Al Snow feud: Included the infamous Kennel from Hell match and the shocking storyline where Boss Man allegedly fed Snow his pet chihuahua, Pepper.
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Big Show feud: Perhaps his most notorious storyline, where Boss Man interrupted Big Show’s father’s funeral, chained the casket to his car, and dragged it away while Show rode on top.
Though often remembered for these outrageous angles, Boss Man was a consistent midcard presence, working with veterans and helping elevate younger talent.
By 2001, his role diminished, though he briefly teamed with Bull Buchanan, Booker T, and later Mr. Perfect before moving into a trainer role in OVW. He left the company in 2003.
Final Years
In 2004, Traylor resurfaced briefly with the International Wrestling Association of Japan, even wrestling Hacksaw Jim Duggan for the IWA World Heavyweight Championship before retiring.
Away from wrestling, Traylor lived in Dallas, Georgia, with his wife Angela and their two daughters. He owned a storage company and even ran for public office in 2004.
Death and Legacy
On September 22, 2004, Ray Traylor tragically passed away from a heart attack at just 41 years old. His sudden death shocked the wrestling world, as he was still relatively young and remembered fondly by peers and fans alike.
In 2016, he was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, with his family accepting the honor. His manager Slick gave the induction speech, paying tribute to both the performer and the man behind the uniform.
Championships and Accomplishments
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WWF Hardcore Championship (4 times)
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WWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ken Shamrock
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UWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
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WWE Hall of Fame (2016)
Legacy in Wrestling
Ray Traylor’s career spanned two decades, multiple promotions, and countless reinventions. From the silent menace of Big Bubba Rogers to the feared Big Boss Man, and from WCW’s shifting gimmicks to the absurd extremes of the Attitude Era, he proved remarkably adaptable.
For many fans, his name evokes the blue uniform, the nightstick, and the haunting refrain of his theme song:
“You’ll be serving hard time!”
Big Boss Man remains one of wrestling’s most enduring characters, a villain turned hero turned villain again, and ultimately, a Hall of Famer whose legacy continues to live on.